24 May 2014 - QA 5

Gurudev, meditation leads to bliss. What is bliss and what is the extent of it?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

There is no extent to bliss. If there is an extent then it is not bliss. A child feels happy if you give him a peanut candy. If you give the same to an older boy, he will throw it away. He will feel happy with a toy or something to play. A young man may not like toys at all, he will want friends or good company.
So as we grow we find pleasure in different things according to our age.
Wise people will find happiness inbuilt, and as a part of their nature. Some people find pleasure in eating and some find joy in not eating! In foreign countries, they take fruit juice and salads and it is very much appreciated. They boast of not eating a full meal for a year or two and they take pride in such things! How human beings find pleasure, is spoken about in the Upanishads, and also by saints such as Tirumoolar, Thirugnana Sambandhar. They have clearly indicated what bliss is. Read these verses, they are very nice.